Supporting bracket for outlet boxes and the like



April .1931- J. M. G. FULLMAN 7 1,801,550

SUPPORTING BRACKET FOR OUTLET BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed July 25, 1 29 Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES III. G. FULLMAN, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL ELECTRIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SUPPORTING BRACKET FOR OUTLET BOXES AND THE LIKE Application filed July 25, 1929.

This invention relates to an improved bracket and plaster lock for supporting switch boxes, outlet boxes and the like from studding.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a construction in which rigidity of support may be secured even where the outlet or switch box is disposed at comparativelyremote point from the supporting studding.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved configuration of the bracket to the general end that the plaster may be retained in position in an improved manner and whereby additional stiffness may be secured.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with certain parts shown in section of a switch box support-ed upon my improved bracket. The view is taken substantially on lines 11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the parts shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2. l i

In more detail in the drawing lO represents a part such as a switch box which is to be supported, 11 represents wood studding and 12 the plaster. The improved supporting bracket in lieu of being made from an L- shaped piece of sheet-metal with plaster locking apertures therein which weakens it, is made with a special configuration as will now be described.

The bracket which is generally designated 13 comprises a generally L-shaped member with one extension in the form of a plate portion 14 provided with plaster locking apertures 15 and with plaster locking tongue portions 16. Suitable holes 17 are also provided disposed in a row substantially in the central line of the plate portion to receive the nails 18 which secure the bracket to the studding. At the side marginal edges the plate port-ion Serial No. 380,853.

14, extension or leg is provided with depending flange portions 19. At one end the bracket member is provided with a portion 20 which is bent down at right angles to the plane of the plate and the marginal flanged portions 19 extend to the lower edge of the bent down portion as indicated at 19a. There are also provided in the plate a pair oflongitudinally extending depressed groove portions 21 deformed from the metal of the plate.

Preferably but not necessarily, the bracket 13 is secured to the switch or outlet box 10 by electric welding as indicated by the electrical welding projections designated 22.

By providing the flanged construction 19 and 19a and by providing the longitudinal struck down grooves 21, the bracket assembly is made much more rigid than with previous constructions. The construction is particu larly rigid at the junction of 20 and l l'and accordingly the outlet or switch box can be maintained in better alignment than heretofore. The grooves in the upper surface of the plate in addition to providing for the stiffening of the plate provide an additional plaster receiving longitudinal recess and thus cooperate with the usual plaster locking apertures and tongues to hold the plaster in place in a better manner than heretofore.

It will be understood that apertures 12 can be used to receive the fastening nails or screws 18 and furthermore the tongue portions 16 may be themselves driven into the wood studding 11 to afford temporary securance of the bracket prior to fastening with i nails or screws 18. As shown in Fig. 1, the flanges 19 extend in the direction of the tongues 16 and are adapted to abut against the support 11 and to thus space the plate like part 14 from the support so that the plaster can flow in and interlock behind the plate.

\Vhat- I claim is:

1. A supporting bracket and plaster lock for a switch box or the like consisting of an L-shaped member having a plate-like portion provided with the usual plaster locking apertures and fastening means and apertures therefor upon one extension thereof, and having depending flanged portions at the marginal edges thereof to provide additional stitlness to said bracket, said. flanged portions extending from the surface of the plate which is opposite to the surface of the plate which receives the plaster.

2. A supporting bracket and plaster lock for a switch box or the like comprising a platelike member provided with plaster locking apertures and fastening apertures arranged and disposed to permit the flow of plaster therethrough and the interlocking of the plaster back of said plate and having a portion bent substantially at rlgh; angles to the plane of the late to which a switch box or the like may e secured, said plate and said bent portion at their marginal edges being provided with continuous flanged portions which stiffen both the plate and the bent portion at its junction with the plate and obviate bending.

3. A supporting bracket and plaster lock for a switch box or the like comprising a member which is substantially L-shaped in cross section with flanges at the marginal side edges of both of the legs of the L portion to stiffen the same, one leg of said L portion being provided with longitudinal grooves struck into the metal thereof to both afford additional stiffness to said leg and to provide plaster receiving grooves in said extension.

4. An L-shaped supporting bracket for a switch box or the like having depending flanged portions at the marginal edges of both extensions to stiffen the entire member against deflection, said flanged portions being extended to pass the junction of the two extensions of the L portion to thereby provide additional stiffness at the junction point, and supplen'iental plaster receiving grooves disposed longitudinally in one extension adapted to arhlitionally reinforce said extension against deflection.

A supporting bracket for an electric outlet box consisting of a plate having apertures therein adapted to receive securing means, said plate having a flange for securing stiffness and said plate also having prongs for temporary securance of the bracket to a wooden structure, said flange extending in the direction of extension of said prongs for the purpose described.

6. A supporting bracket for an electrical outlet box and a plaster lock comprising a plate-like member provided with plaster locking apertures and fastening apertures and having a portion of said plate bent at substantially right angles to the plane of the plate to which an outlet box or the like may be secured, said plate being adapted for fastening to a support, said plate having mar to flow through the plaster locking apertures and behind the plate between it and the supporting part.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

JAMES M. G. FULLMAN. 

